The Convention grants the public rights and imposes obligations on its Parties and public authorities regarding access to information, public participation, and access to justice. The Convention also requires its Parties to promote these principles in the negotiation and implementation of international environmental decision-making processes and within the framework of international organizations in matters relating to the environment.


In 2003, the Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (PRTRs) to the Aarhus Convention - also known as the Kyiv Protocol - was adopted. It is the first and only legally binding agreement on PRTRs that requires information to be publicly disclosed on the release and transfer of a large number of listed pollutants through online databases or registers. Free web-based access to geo-referenced environmental data empowers the public, decision makers in government and industry, scientists, and journalists to make informed choices. Furthermore, a well-established network of environmental data gathered and stored by PRTRs allows industries to validate their efforts in reaching sustainability. Source: http://www.unece.org/env/pp/welcome.html


142:


Public participation in the EU’s Water Framework Directive on River Basin Management Plans


Article 14 of the EU’s Water Framework Directive on River Basin Management Plans includes the following provisions related to public participation:


(Article 14)


1. Member States shall encourage the active involvement of all interested parties in the implementation of this Directive, in particular in the production, review and updating of the river basin management plans. Member States shall ensure that, for each river basin district, they publish and make available for comments to the public, including users: (a) a timetable and work programme for the production of the plan, including a statement of the consultation measures to be taken, at least three years before the beginning of the period to which the plan refers; (b) an interim overview of the significant water


management issues identified in the river basin, at least two years before the beginning of the period to which the plan refers; (c) draft copies of the river basin management plan, at least one year before the beginning of the period to which the plan refers.


On request, access shall be given to background documents and information used for the development of the draft river basin management plan.


2. Member States shall allow at least six months to comment in writing on those documents in order to allow active involvement and consultation.


3. Paragraphs 1 and 2 shall apply equally to updated river basin management plans.”


Source: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/participation/pdf/ waternotes/water_note12_public_participation_plans.pdf


143:


Public participation in environmental impact assessment and strategic environmental assessments


Environmental assessment is a procedure that ensures that the environmental implications of decisions are taken into account before decisions are made. Environmental assessment can be undertaken for individual projects, such as a dam, motorway, airport or factory, on the basis of Directive 2011/92/EU (Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive) or for public plans or programmes on the basis of Directive 2001/42/EC (Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Directive). The common principle of both Directives is to ensure that plans, programmes and projects likely to have significant effects on the environment are made subject to an environmental assessment, prior to their approval or authorisation. Consultation with the public is a key feature of environmental assessment procedures.


The Directives on Environmental Assessment aim to provide a high level of protection of the environment and to contribute to the integration of environmental considerations into the preparation of projects, plans and programmes with a view to reducing their environmental impact. They ensure public


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